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10. August 2008 by admin.

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Seven Important Facts You May Want to Know About Saving For College

25. May 2008 by admin.

Major Corporations want to be able to hire college graduates.

The average college graduate makes approximately 70% more than the average high school graduate in his working career.

The cost of college is increasing faster than the inflation rate.

Dollar wise, the cost of college increases at more than $1,000 per year.

If you are able to SAVE $480 per month with an interest rate of 3.5% in a College Fund from the time your child is born to the time you send him/her off to college at age 18, you will have paid for 4 years at a public college or university ($145,000) with today’s projections.

With an average of 40% savings of monthly shopping costs for food and household goods, you can save an extra $226 per month to invest in a college savings plan.

Scholarships and grants are available for families based on yearly incomes of $65,000 or less. 

Saving and paying for college may not be as difficult as you think.  Save money with everyday shopping is the smart way to save for college.

Generally, the more you hear about the high rising costs for a college education today, the cost factor becomes more frightening every year for the average American family.  As with anything that is frightening we try to avoid it.  We hide from it.  We may even want to bury our heads in the sand, and hope that it just goes away.  Or it paralyzes us into non-action.  No matter what one’s response to fear is…as loving parents you will have to face the challenge head on one day… and the earlier the better. Facing a fear head on, even as children, is ultimately how we all conquer our fears.  So let’s journey together, it’s easier than doing it by one’s self…there’s safety in numbers.  And you may become a lot safer with these numbers to plan, save, and pay for a college education for your son or daughter.

SHOP-SMART SHOPPING-TIPS SAVE MONEY will be our slogan.   Let’s start with some simple guidelines.                                                                                                                   The guideline or RULE #1 is very simple:  NEVER PAY FULL PRICE for anything you buy.  With a little bit of effort you will be surprised how much you can SAVE before you go out shopping. According to a new poll conducted by the consumer Reports National Research Center for “ShopSmart” magazine,  (women) shoppers who use coupons and store loyalty cards save over 10%  a year on groceries…estimated to be the equivalent of $678 a year with an average weekly shopping trip of $116.00. Actually, YOU CAN DO A LOT BETTER THAN TEN PERCENT!  The women in the survey used their coupons occasionally, and they did not necessarily use all of them.

This leads to RULE #2: ALWAYS SIGN UP FOR STORE-LOYALTY CARDS.  Don’t miss out on a sale.  Sign up at all the local grocery stores in your area, and it’s FREE.  Each week different stores have different items on sale.  For example, if you have a loyalty card for store A, but not store B; and your brand of coffee or laundry detergent goes on Sale at store B, you will miss the SALE. And you pay FULL PRICE at store A because there was no Sale on your coffee or laundry detergent there this week.  BE SMART….SHOP SMART makes the loyalty cards work for you. BE LOYAL TO YOURSELF and SAVE MONEY!

RULE #3 TO OPTIMIZE YOUR SAVINGS- ALWAYS USE COUPONS.  Coupons are easy to obtain. Check your Sunday Newspaper first, go online, and check the store sale ads both in the mail and in the store.

Rule #4 ALWAYS STOCK UP, and BUY IN BULK WHAT IS ON SALE when it is a highly used item or high ticket item like coffee or laundry detergent.  For example, your brand of coffee which is regularly priced as $10.99 for a large can (34 oz. or more) goes on sale for $5.99 for the shopper with the store loyalty card.  That’s a savings of $5.00. Add one .50 cents-off manufacturer’s coupon.  Now you just have saved 50%.  (Hint: Keep an eye open for the coupon dispensers that hang off the shelves in the grocery store.  If it offers a coupon for an item you use, take 3-4 of them, and save them until the product goes on sale prior to the coupon’s expiration date.)  Back to the coffee example… let’s say, you have four coupons for your brand of coffee.  You purchase four cans of coffee and stock up at this price… and WHAM you just SAVED $22.00 for a 50% SAVINGS….much better than the average 10% that survey suggested.  Even if you go out to the store just for the coffee that’s on SALE….YOU MADE A GREAT DEAL! 

To keep your savings at a 50% level leads to Rule #5: TAKE ADVANTAGE of BUY 1 GET 1 FREE OFFERS, especially on products your family uses on a regular basis.  Again, buy in Bulk.

Rule #6: BE FLEXIBLE with your shopping list when you see something on SALE:  an item might not be on your shopping list this week; but you see that it’s on SALE, and you buy it.  Now, there won’t be a need to put it on your shopping list for the next two or three weeks, and you SAVED.

Rule #7:  ALWAYS ASK FOR A RAIN CHECK FOR A SALE ITEM that the store has run out of.  This way you will be guaranteed not to miss out on the SALE ITEM.  Rain checks can be good for one month or one year, depending on the store policy. (Hint: On the rain check ask for maximum amount of the item possible for a multiple purchase in the future).

These Shop-Smart Shopping-tips will help you save-money with your everyday-shopping.These are just some of the possible ways to save half-off with your grocery shopping that will begin to make college a reality for your child.                                                                                                         Use these SHOP-SMART SHOPPING-TIPS to SAVE MONEY.  Once you see how much money you save for your child’s education…set a goal….plan, save-and-pay for college with your monthly savings. The survey indicated saving 10 percent on your grocery shopping would generate savings of $678 per year.  My challenge to each of you is to average SAVINGS of 40% on your purchases.  If you can do that….you will realize savings up to $2,712 a year, or $226 per month; and that’s just on your groceries alone.

Saving-and-paying for College may not be as difficult as you think once you start using the SHOP-SMART SHOPPING-TIPS for all your purchases.

Automatically-save money-for-college each time you FOLLOW THE RULES.   They represent Free-Money-for-College you didn’t know you even had.

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HOW DO PLANTS GROW - PLANTS GROWING NEEDS

19. May 2008 by admin.

We all are able to grow our own veggies, save money and enjoy veggies which are healthier and more flavorful than store bought ones. Taking some tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and basil right off the plant and preparing a delicious summer salad will have you and your kids wanting another bowl of your own home grown salad. If you have access to a sunny window, balcony, or patio, you are all set.

To start out with, we have to know the answers to two questions:

How do plants grow

Plants growing needs

                                                                                                                   HOW DO PLANTS GROW

Plant growth is induced by a process called “Photosynthesis”.       Photosynthesis is the conversion of light energy into chemical energy by living organisms.

The raw materials are carbon dioxide and water; the energy source is sun light and the end products are oxygen and (energy rich) carbohydrates, like glucose, sucrose and starch. This process is arguably the most important biochemical pathway since nearly all life on earth either directly or indirectly depends on it. It is a complex process occurring in higher plants and algae.

Leaves manufacture the sugars and other compounds that serve as food for plants. For this manufacturing process, Photosynyhesis, leaves need several ingredients: light, chlorophyll, carbon dioxide and water. To intercept as much light as possible, most leaves are flat and face broadside to the sun. When the sun strikes a leave, much of the light is reflected – on a sunny day – but some enters and is captured by chlorophyll, the pigment that gives leaves their green color.

Carbon dioxide is part of the air and enters leaves through microscopic pores, called Stomates. Stomates are mostly located on the undersides of leaves where they are less likely to be blocked by dust. This is very important when we discuss the subject of “Foliar Feeding”. But on upright leaves, like salad greens and corns, they are located on both sides of the leaves.

Roots absorb water, which is drawn upward to the leaves. But as much as 98% is lost when it evaporates through the stomates (pores). This may seem a lot but transpiration is a cooling process that prevents leaves from overheating in the sun. Fortunately, stomates close quickly to stop further water loss if a leave starts to wilt.

  

                                                                                                             PLANTS GROWING NEEDS

In order to grow properly and develop the correct photosynthesis plants need light, water and nutrition.

Plants, including vegetables, have certain light requirements, from full sun to partial sun to shade, which must be met to ensure best development without suffering sunburn or growing laggy (long and thin).Without water, most plants cannot grow and will die. But too much water is the cause of many plants’ demise. It’s actually too much “TLC” – Tender Loving Care – that kills most plants. Veggies, with the exception of some herbs, need a proper supply of water to produce their mouth watering taste. 

                                                      FOLIAR FEEDING

Often overlooked, Foliar Feeding is a crucial part in growing an abundant vegetable crop.

The root system is only able to absorb a certain amount of nutrients at a time which is not in balance with the overall size of the plant. This is extremely important for container grown plants, including veggies, as root development is restricted.

I am gardening my whole life but extensively the last 18 years growing ALL my veggies in containers.

By growing veggies in containers, soil-born diseases are avoided which can be a nuisance especially with tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants.

After experiencing with NUMEROUS fertilizers and seaweed products, I finally found 2 products I would never garden without anymore. Veggie yields in my containers are produced at a rate, quantity and quality many people growing them in the soil can only dream of. I usually foliar feed once a week at dusk. It is very important to NEVER foliar feed any plants in direct sunlight as this would cause severe burns. When foliar feeding I make sure to spray both sides of the leaves until the solution runs off and I always use lukewarm water. The principle of foliar feeding applies to both container grown and soil grown plants – vegetables.

My two and ONLY ingredients for foliar feeding are:

Seaweed “Sea Magic”, a form of seaweed is harvested from the Atlanic Ocean. Through a special process it is turned into a concentrated powder. The powder is dissolved in lukewarm water in a 2-liter Pop bottle and stored in the refrigerator as concentrate. No expiration date; can be used  in a month, year, or two years. A 30-gram package is enough to make more than 62 gallons of foliar feeding solution. It is a very inexpensive product which goes a long way and gives tremendous results. 

“Algo Flash “ Fertilizers are used both as foliar fertilizers and regular soil fertilizers. Its formula was patented in Europe. Vegetable and flower production is amazing. Its other advantage is its 100% MINERAL BASE – no chlorides, no carbonates, no sodium. It is odorless, colorless and environmental safe. “Algo Flash” Fertilizers and Seaweed “Sea Extract” used combined for Foliar Feeding produce results that have to be seen to be believed.

                                                                                                           

Both Seaweed “Sea Magic” and “Algo Flash” Fertilizer  can be ordered from Park Seed, a company doing business since 1868. The company also offers a wide selection of high quality seeds, annuals, perennials, vegetable plants and gardening supplies.

                                                                                                 

TIP FOR GROWING BETTER TASTING AND GROWING VEGGIES                                                                                                                                                     Feed your veggies once per month with EPSOM SALT. Epsom Salt, also called Magnesium Sulfate, is the core element of chlorophyll which is essential for proper Photosynthesis. It helps lowering the soil’s ph.

Most plants, including vegetables, grow better at a neutral or slightly negative ph.

Application: Dissolve one (1) to two (2) tablespoons of Epsom Salt in hot water (Epsom Salt dissolves faster in hot water) and mix it with one gallon of water. Water plants thoroughly with this solution.

If your plants show yellowing leaves, you might spray them with above mentioned solution until water runs off the leaves. Be sure to spray both sides of leaves.                                                                                                                                                     Epsom Salt, Magnesium Sulfate, when applied as a foliar spray, will act faster than iron. Iron is a common treatment for yellowing leaves. 

Posted in How Do Plants Grow | Print | 2 Comments »

Toddlers And Veggies

5. May 2008 by admin.

Greetings,

Having a toddler(s) in the house and sitting down for dinner time can be a difficult task. Dinner was prepared with love and healthy nutrition in mind. Unfortunately most of the nutritious food the toddler is suppose to eat ends up anywhere else - on the toddler or on the floor.

This raises the question :”Why are toddlers so picky eaters?” There are several reasons for this behaviour:

• Since birth toddlers have tripled their birth weight due to rapid growth
• Toddlers gain weight more slowly; therefore they need less food
• Toddlers are always on the go which affects their eating habits
• Snacking through the day seems to be more appealing to them than sitting down in their high chair having dinner

Knowing these facts we have to think about purchasing the right food and preparing it the correct way (steamed rather than boiled and baked rather than fried). In addition it’s wise to serve it creatively and leave the rest up to the toddler.

These are some creative ways to incorporate veggies and/or fruits into your toddler’s diet -

• Hiding the veggies is a good way to get them into your toddler. You might puree spinach, or any kind of veggie, and add them to your homemade small meatballs or any dishes you prepare. 
• Toddlers like food that is fun. Be creative. It’s a good idea to have the food mini-sized and served in special ways, like in the shape of an animal or face.
• Things that dip are also a great idea - baked sweet potato fries in a healthy dip, for example. If you have to avoid dairy, you might use a product like “Better than Milk”, a soy based beverage mix.
• A member of a healthy eating group I joined suggested  to grate 1-2 yellow zucchini (skin and all) and add it to your meatloaf mix. Not only does it make the meatloaf more moist, but it is practically unnoticable.
• Adding pureed fruits to softened ice cream might be another idea.

Turn into a Veggie Vendor

Veggies seem to be the most challenged food group when it comes to children’s eating habits. One way to overcome this obstacle is to plant a garden with your child. If you live in an appartment with a balcony and/or sunny window you may grow a wide variety of veggies in containers. These veggies include, but are not limited to, dwarf bush tomatoes -also called determinate tomatoes -, peppers - green, yellow, orange, red -, small carrots, radishes, or whatever veggies your family likes. There are no limits. Almost all veggies can be grown in containers.                                                                                            

These are just a few ways to incorporate veggies/ and or fruits into your toddler’s diet

  

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Grocery Shopping – Cost of Living – Grocery Prices

4. May 2008 by admin.

The cost of living has become painful.  One trip to the gas station and grocery store will clearly put you in touch with this pain.  As painful as the $4.00 per gallon for gas is, it represents less than 3.5 percent of the family budget.  Food purchases are almost 4 times as much in the family expenses, coming in just under 13%.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Consumer Price Index for the past year indicates the five grocery items that rank at the top of the inflated price list that you are now buying at your supermarkets.

Number One on the list is FLOUR, increased by 37%.  Not only does this increase the affect of the purchase of a bag of flour, but every item that is made using flour….breads, bakery goods, etc.

Number Two on the list are EGGS, increased by 34.8%.  Again, this price increase goes beyond just the dozen or two of eggs that you buy for your family. Bakery goods, pasta and breads are affected as well.                                                                   

Number Three on the list are SWEET PEPPERS (green, red, yellow) at an increased rate of 29.2%.  The good news here is that peppers are one of the easiest plants to grow with very little work. I will address home gardening in the next newsletter for all your summer salad needs with little expenses.                                                            

Number Four on the list is MILK, increased by 23.1%.  This is one of the most essential purchases on the grocery list for a family of any size with growing children.

Number Five on the list are DRIED BEANS, increased by 21.6%.  This may be the most insulting price increase of all  because it represents the most  basic and last resort for the poor to put something on the table for the family to eat.

One of the other world’s basic food staples RICE has gone up by 10% in the last month alone.  Costco and Walmart have recently limited the quantity of RICE that can purchased.

If you have visited our website and read our BeSmart….ShopSmart….ShoppingTips, like the one on the “Family Kidswear Page”, you know that we want you to save 40% to 50% off your weekly grocery shopping trips, including meat and high priced items of coffee and laundry detergent. This is possible using your store loyalty card, store and manufacturer coupons, and taking advantage of the BUY 1 GET 1 FREE OFFERS. We are very concerned about your bottom line savings on your groceries with these inflationary increases on some of the most basic food staples.Being a good “Scout” you need to “Be prepared”. 

Study your local grocery circulars.  Become price conscious as to what the marketplace is asking for these particular items as well as what your cupboard and refrigerator is lacking. 

Read the ad paper thoroughly to OPTIMIZE YOUR SAVINGS.  For example, shopping at a chain drug store, reading through their weekly circular….in smaller print than the rest…. I discovered that if I bought a brand name skin lotion at the regular price I would receive the same brand name liquid soap for FREE — $3.99 value.  

Plan ahead your menu.  I have advocated planning your menu around the SALE ITEMS in the grocery stores’ circulars.  Make sure you mark out on what day of the week their shopping advertisement begins and ends.  Some stores start on Wednesday and end on the following Tuesday.  Others begin on Thursday and end on the following Wednesday.  You could miss out on sale items of importance by not knowing this.

For example, in one sale circular a brand name roasting chicken was on sale for 69 cents/per lb. at the local grocery store.  Unlike the major store chains, this local grocery store week begins on Wednesday, not Thursday. So if you didn’t pay attention to this fact, and wanted to purchase the roasting chicken on Wednesday before the sale ended, it would have been TOO LATE.  The new week began, the sale was over, and the price increased by 80 cents to $1.49 per/lb. The same 5-lb. Roasting Chicken went from $3.45 to $7.45 — a lost savings of $4.00 per a 5lb. Chicken. 

PAY ATTENTION and SAVE! Don’t let image fool you that you are going to get the BEST PRICE because a store is known for it’s LOW PRICES.  A recent story of comparative shopping prices revealed the following prices for a gallon of  Skim Milk

 $2.69 at Aldi’s (discount store) 

$2.99 at Costco (a saving club/membership needed) 

$3.99 at a Local Supermarket

$4.49 at Walmart                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Who Who would have thought that?.That’s an image buster! 

Don’t forget looking at your local drug stores, such as CVS or Walgreens, for some of these items. Recently I was able to purchase two- 64oz. Walgreens brand Orange Juice for $3.69 compared to other grocery store offers of 2/$5.00, and two dozen eggs for $3.00 compared to $2.89 per dozen elsewhere.

I believe in buying in BULK when often used family products are on sale. If  you have the space, utilize your freezer.  When shopping for Milk on Sale search the back of the shelf for the latest possible expiration date.  If you choose to freeze milk, remove 8-to-12 ounces to allow for expansion during the freezing process.  You can also freeze eggs in freezer bags by cracking them open into the bag for later use, baking or scrambled eggs.  Rather than throw out eggs or milk that are about to expire make a cake or pudding.

 For additional savings, investing in a bread machine ($40.00 and up) would help cut the cost of bread and provide you with Fresh Homemade Healthy Bread daily per your creative ingredients.  Put the ingredients in the bread machine, and within three-to-three and a half hours, presto!.FRESH HOMEMADE BREAD for less than a $1.00 per loaf.  The bread machine will pay for itself in a short time compared to store bought bread. 

For purchasing a good breadmaker which lasts a long time, I recommend

One U.S. Agricultural Department Study estimated that 25% of the food bought by consumers and restaurants is wasted or spoiled before it can be served. TV commercials advertise storage bags that will preserve the life of fruits and vegetables.  If you are going to spend the high prices for fruits and vegetables, then you might choose to spend $10.00 for reusable bags.  They will pay for themselves over a short period of time compared to price of lost/spoiled produce.

For your Meat purchases, avoid paying for the bones.  At $10.00/lb,  just one pound of bones will cost you ten dollars. Or you might choose to wait until its on sale.  Many dollars are saved by using  store loyalty cards when it comes to meat purchases.  Buy Sale Price Meat in larger quantities, cut in portions, and FREEZE.   Meat provides flexibilty in one’s menu planning.  The first meal is hot, freshly cooked.  Leftover portions can be served cold as sandwiches, or cubed and added to a fresh salad. Any other cubed leftover meat can be added to a soup.  THAT’S FOUR MEALS from one piece of meat.

To eat healthier and save on your cooking time, I recommend purchasing  Ronco’s “Showtime” Rotisserie. Put the meat on the spit, or in the basket, set the timer, and let it cook away, allowing the fat to drip away. Meatremains moist, juicy and healthy. Place vegetables in steamer tray on top of the unit. When the timer goes off, remove the meat and serve. Makes a very nice MOTHER’S DAY GIFT that keeps on giving.  But remember: you’ll have to figure out what you want to do with your free time while everything is cooking. 

The rotisserie can cook up to a 15 lb. turkey, two whole chicken, 8lbs prime rib or any roast. In the basket fish, hamburgers or roasted potatoes are some of the many options available for your meal plan.  I have had my rotisserie for over six years.

CLICK on Rotisserie >>>

Again,  read your grocery ad circulars carefully.  Try to take advantage of the first opening day “Sale Specials”.  Some stores run specials within the store that will provide FREEBIES or MONEY BACK for  your NEXT SHOPPING VISIT. Last month, Safeway and Dominicks  offered  a $10.00 kick back on a purchase of $30.00 or more of listed brand names for the next visit….this represents a 33% savings right there.  This week, they offer two $5.00 kick backs ….one is redeemable instantly  at the check out counter….the other is redeemable on the next visit.

Lastly, keep your eyes open for offers to add to your Government Stimulus Checks or Tax Refund Checks  by Grocery Stores or Department Stores. Jewel (owned by Albertson) is offering a 10% Bonus if you use one of these CHECKS to purchase a Jewel-Osco Gift Card in increments of $300.00 up to $1200.00.  Limit one offer per household.  This represents  $30.00 to $120.00, depending on the amount of your check.  Details are available stores. Make Your Money Work For YOU!

So BeSmart…..ShopSmart…..Save Money…..Be Happy!

Robert Walsh

http://robertwalshshops.com   

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Trusted, Safe, Reliable, Babysitter, Nanny, Elder Caregiver Or Senior Care Giver, House Sitter,

26. April 2008 by admin.

The Baby-boomers are now senior and elder care takers of the business world today in America and will soon be retiring.  Nationwide some of these once young men and women are now planning to move away from their lifelong family homes, cities and towns to screened-in balconies of apartments and/or condominiums in the Sunbelt States, the fasted growing population areas in America.

They no longer will be available to be the trusted, safe, reliable babysitter or nanny for their grandchildren that their sons and daughters could count on with a simple phone call. Yes, they can come and visit for a vacation; but they are claiming their freedom…independence from such family demands.  They still love their children and grandchildren without a doubt.But for those they leave behind, where are they now going to find a trusted, safe, reliable babysitter or nanny.

With neighborhoods changing or moving to suburbia, young families are left in a bind: who’s going to care for their children?  Americans are buried in security issues everyday if you just watch the news.  Everywhere you go it seems you are screened or pass through check points.  If you are hired by a new company you have to submit to a criminal background check and pass a drug test.  To cash a check  you must show two pieces of identification  and leave your finger print on it.  And then there are the airports nationwide.

So if you really want to feel comfortable leaving your children with a trusted, safe, reliable babysitter who has passed a criminal background check, or house sit and care for your pets or plants while visiting your retired baby-boomer parents in the Sunbelt States, may be the solution is only a click away. 

Everyday parents all across the country have to face the question “who can I trust my child with while I am away?”  Whether it is for an evening out…a business trip…or unexpected emergencies, it would be nice to know there is a place to go with all the security questions answered and get a very trust worthy individual that leave you with peace of mind.  Then you can stay focused on the matter at hand or simply enjoy a much needed evening out.

At the other end of the life spectrum you may be having your parent living with you or still living on their own who has developed some dementia or has been diagnosed with early stages of alzheimers.  You may have the need for some elderly care service.  This may mean coming in for a few days a week, and doing some cooking or general overall care of the home while you are not there.  Or as the diseases progress it may call for an increased level of care.  Here again, the trusted, safe and reliable quality of care may be just a click away.

FOR YOUR BEST LOCAL BABYSITTER SERVICE, NANNY SERVICE or ELDER CAREGIVER SERVICE PLEASE CLICK BELOW >>>

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Homepage

24. April 2008 by admin.

Technorati Profile

My name is Robert Walsh and I created this blog, robertwalshshops.com, to assist families by addressing family related issues, like

• Cost of Living

• Grocery Shopping

• Grocery Prices

• Save Time and Money by growing your own vegetables either in the ground or in containers

• Provide your children with the most efficient developmental toys starting in infancy

• Give your baby, infant, toddler a jump start in communication with baby infant toddler sign language

• Provide you with a Service that provides trusted, safe, reliable babysitters, elder care givers, housesitters, and petsitters

• Deal with your toddlers “Terrible Twos”

• Protect your children on the Internet when you are not at home to watch what they are doing

• Raise your children to become health-conscious, money-saving, family-orientated adults

• Show you how to start your own internet business with almost no expenses. In January of 2007 I lost my job in the healthcare field after 18 years. At the age of 56 and the current job market, I was rather desperate. I discovered some tools that helped me build my successful website from scratch starting with “no knowledge of computers” at all.

These are just some of the issues Iam palanning to address in this blog. I invite you, my visitors, to join me in this adventure.

I ask you to feel free to post any comments to any of the subjects I list on this blog. Many of you will have suggestions I have not thought of. I am very thankful when you share these on my blog.

I am also the webmaster of www.robertwalshkidsclothing.com, a family-friendly website which tries to save families money on many avenues in life as well.

I publish my FREE “Bargain Kidswear Newsletter” regularly with tips and hints to save additional moneys. Feel free to sign up for it anytime. Until August 31, 2008, you are automatically entered in my Spring Ahead “Pampers Diapers Giveway”. Each month one lucky winner will receive a one-month supply of Pampers Diapers or Pants.

Please feel free to EMAIL me anytime with any questions, concerns, and suggestions. Each email is answered by me personally. Your email is completely save and will never be shared with anybody.

Robert Walsh

 

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Baby Infant Sign Language

12. April 2008 by admin.

Most parents discover how difficult it is to communicate with their baby.  There are days that parents wish that their children were born talking.  It would make things so much easier if their baby had the ability to communicate to their parents what they need or want.  Or for the crying baby to be able to tell Mom and Dad in baby-talk what was hurting or bothering the infant in the middle of the night when his/her cries for help woke the parents out of a sound sleep.

The problem here is a failure to communicate.  There are no baby adult common language communication skills available for the infant or the parents to have a nursery-needs conversation.  Learning their baby’s babble parents can improve their interaction with their precious little one.  It is such a helpless feeling in holding a crying, fussing, infant, and (they) have no clue what he/she wants or what will bring comfort.  The parents’ hope is that with their calming voice and their baby-talk the “we can work it out” message will get through, and the baby will fall back to sleep.

As parents struggle to work with the wordless baby-talk they start learning, they begin learning a second language which is the baby’s first sign of speech though wordless.  Parent can pick up clues to the baby’s needs over time. The infant’s baby-talk, gestures or type of cries, offers new signs for communication, thus baby-talk closes the communication gap.  As parents learn baby-talk, as parents share more baby-talk, understanding baby-talk becomes happy-talk.  Even baby-talk play has meaning with the baby’s smiles and laughter.

This process is long, frustrating and tedious.  And waiting for your baby’s first word can seem endless.  Your only real hope is that it will be “mama” or “papa”. But there is a better way of establishing baby-parent communication and share-a-language with your baby, so your baby can let you (the parents) know some of his/her needs.  Teaching your baby kindersigns  can really help open the door.   

Recently NBC News aired a video report about Elizabeth, 17-month old toddler, who could read like a 7 year old.  Her parents have been reading to her since she was born. This is a very good practice to develop with your baby. But the KEY here is that her parents taught Elizabeth American Sign Language (ASL) with a video for babies.